from three hundred miles. Through all this section we found the soil excellent, consisting mainly of high rolling prairie; indeed, it is as dark-colored and as rich as the soil in the Wabash valley. The water is of the best quality, and as good as could be desired. The streams have high banks, consisting, to a considerable extent, of limestone rock. We did not see the first stream which overflows its banks, though we crossed many which would furnish an indefinite amount of water-power. There were no stagnant pools to render the country unhealthy. The timber is similar to that in northern Illinois, consisting of -burr oak, Spanish oak, shell-bark hickory, black walnut, linn, elm, etc. The timber is principally upon the creeks and margins of the rivers, and is found in considerable abundance, though, if there was more of it, it would be no objection to the country. I should like to remove there, and think it would be an object for me to do so, though I reside in a fertile region in Indiana."

The Pottawatomies have. occupied a reservation on the southern side of the Kanzas. The following letter from Mr. Duerinck, the superintendent of the Catholic mission among them, shows what is the success of farming operations here:

“We have raised this season sixty acres oats, forty corn, six potatoes, the oats very heavy; we cut them all in five days with a mowing machine. This implement is the wonder of the country, the Indians are lost in admiration

when they see it work. The corn and potatoes bid fair to yield a good crop. Our horned stock consist of two hundred and fifty head; say eighty cows, fifteen yoke of oxen, forty two-year old steers, the balance is young cattle of our own raising. We derive no inconsiderable part of our support from our stock. There is also a good demand for corn, potatoes, oats, which the mission as well as the Indians can sell at fair prices. The government is establishing a new military post, Fort Riley, on the Upper Kanzas, fifty-one miles above the mission; the Pottawatomie settlement is the nearest point from which the fort can draw its supplies. If our Indians were thrifty and enterprising, they would find a ready market for all the produce they can raise; but, unfortunately, the greater part of our people are glad when they have enough to supply their own wants. The Indians in our immediate vicinity are not in want; they have raised good crops of corn, potatoes, pumpkins, and beans, without giving themselves much pains to do it."

Another letter, written on the 6th of July, 1854, by a gentleman who had passed up the valley of the Kanzas. says:

"The best portion of the land in the Kanzas valley is held by the Indians, but almost every acre of this fine country is said to be susceptible of agricultural improvement. The climate is generally admitted to be remarkably serene and temperate, being well suited to out-door employ

ment, but the extensive prairies will especially make the raising of live stock the most profitable occupation.

"The chief products are likely to be wheat, oats, and Indian corn. Wool-growing is also likely to become a favorite employment. The accounts respecting the scarcity of timber are not substantially correct. In those parts of the territory where timber is not in abundance, there are many substitutes to replace it. But the country seems generally to be divided into timbered, opening, and prairie. The rolling prairie, interspersed with opening, mostly prevails. The great range of pasturage on the prairies makes it an uncommonly fine grazing country.

"The water-power is admirable. Besides the Kanzas, there are innumerable smaller streams and branches running throughout the whole extent of the territory, so that no portion of it is without a plentiful supply of good and generally pure water.'

The following statement is from the pen of a most intelligent gentleman, who has travelled over all parts of America:

"The soil, for the most part, is unsurpassed for richness and depth by any in the world. True, in some parts, as near the mountains, and some other places, it is thin and sandy, but for hundreds of miles from the Missouri state line, not an acre of waste or poor land was to be seen on our route. The land is gently rolling, thus giving an endless variety to the scenery, as well as ridding the country

of all low marshes, swamps, and stagnant pools of water, so productive of malaria and disease. Lest it should be thought that this is written for effect at the present time, and, therefore, the representation too strong, I will quote, upon this subject, a line from my journal written on the spot, in April, 1849, after visiting the Wyandott tribe of Indians in this territory, as follows: 'The land they occupy is immensely rich and very beautiful. All this region, both the Indian territory and this side of the Kanzas river (in Missouri), is superior to any I ever saw for cultivation, and if it were occupied by New England society, I would never think of visiting California.' The soil is not only rich, but well watered. Not only are the clouds more prodigal of their treasures than at Salt Lake Valley, and in California, during the summer season, but streams of pure water are to be found, at short intervals, in every direction. These streams are almost invariably skirted with timber, in the eastern portion of the territory, and can afford waterpower in abundance for every kind of manufactures."

"The scenery," he continues, "that most attracts emigrants, is found in the eastern portion of this territory, where the deep virgin soil of the rolling prairie invites the plough and spade. To give some idea of this scenery, I will quote my impressions, as they were pencilled while travelling through the territory, south of the Kanzas river.

"May 11th, 1849. Our course to-day has been over the rolling prairie, and we passed along without difficulty.

The prairie seems to be an endless succession of rolls, with a smooth, green surface, dotted all over with most beautiful flowers. The soil is of the most rich and fertile character, with no waste land. The feelings that come over a person, as he first views this immense ocean of land, are indescribable. As far as the eye can reach, he sees nothing but a beautiful green carpet, save here and there perhaps a cluster of trees; he hears nothing but the feathered songsters of the air, and feels nothing but a solemn awe in view of this infinite display of creative power.

"13th. Turned out this morning at four o'clock, to watch the cattle. Went upon a high roll of land, where I had an extensive and enchanting view of this seemingly boundless and ever varying prairie. The sun is rising out of this sea of land in the east, a line of timber skirts Cedar Creek to the N. E., also Spoon Creek to the N. W., while still further on, in the same direction, is seen a thick fog, marking the course of the Kanzas river. All is still save the grazing of the cattle, and the concert of birds, which is composed of a great variety of songsters. The cooing of the prairie hens, heard in every direction, constitutes the base; the loud cawing of the crows, the tenor; the fine sweet voices of the ground and small birds, the treble; and a noise as of distant wild geese, the alto.

"23rd. Passed a beautiful little creek of pure cold water, about twelve M., where we found a newly-made grave. Ascended a high bluff near the creek, where I had